Park Commission

Minutes of a Regular Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting August 4, 2020 A regular meeting of the Blue Springs Parks Commission was held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at the Fieldhouse. The Chairman called the meeting to order. George Deibert -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Dennis Dovel Kathy Richardson – Absent Parks Dept. Staff: Justin Stuart Keith Hannaman -- Present Parks Dept. Staff: Mary Herrington Maureen Johnson – Present Parks Dept. Staff: Jayla Coleman Megan Johnson – Present City Council Liaison: Galen Ericson -- Present Dena Duhon – Present Richard Mitchem – Present Gabriel Mejia – Present Ken Horrell - Absent A motion was made by George Deibert and seconded by Maureen Johnson to accept the Consent Agenda. It passed unanimously. Visitors/Correspondence: None Program/Activity Spotlight: None Finances: Financials were reviewed by Dennis. Staff Reports: Staff reviewed their reports. Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman’s Report: None City Council Liaison Report: None Old Business: Dennis reviewed updates regarding the Park Sales Tax. Most of the projects are complete. We are waiting on Evergy to connect power for the tennis courts and basketball courts at Wilbur Young Park. Staff is trying to find a way to hold a dedication ceremony but with the current restrictions set by Jackson County Health Department this has been difficult. We have not made a public statement that the new playground at Young Park is open, but if you drive by you will see numerous kids and families enjoying the new equipment. SFS Architecture has begun the Aquatics Study again. With a new timeline in place we are hoping to have the study wrapped up by end of November. The park site studies have for Roscoe Righter Park and Southwest Park has wrapped up. The final Advisory Committee Meeting will be held in August with the final presentation to Park Commission and City Council occurring on September 21st. New Business: Dennis explained different options for how the renewing of the Park Sales Tax could look like. A continuation of the Sales Tax that is already in place is a potential option. In order to get a continuation of the current Sales Tax that is in place, we would need to get the extension in place by April 2022. Dena Duhon requested that commissioners get out to the parks and speak to the public about if they feel their tax dollars were put to good use. Miscellaneous: None As there was no further business, a motion for adjournment was made by Dena Duhon and seconded Maureen Johnson. 1